Loom check



y 1952 a. H. HUFFERD 2,596,483

LOOM CHECK Filed Oct. 27. 1947 2 smETs-sm'r 1 him In 47 PGWEFL CHECK CYLINDER if! VEN T 0R. GEGRGE H. HU FFEIRUQ ATTORN'EYS.

May 13, 1952 Filed Oct. 27, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR. GE RGE H.HUFFERD. BY MM;

AT ORJVEYS.

Patented May 13, 1952 LOOM CHECK George H. Hufierd, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Weatherhead Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 27, 1947, Serial No. 782,342

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to looms and more particularly to hydraulic check devices associated with the picker stick of a loom.

The check device to which this invention relates is particularly adapted for use in connection with a straight line picker stick linkage as described in detail in my co-pending application Serial No.

782,341, filed October 27, 1947, now Patent No. 2,540,673.

It is an object of this invention to provide a double-acting check device for the shuttle of a loom in which checking motion is adjustable and which device is relatively short so that it may be mounted on the outboard side of the rock shaft, with the adjustments accessible. Briefly, I accomplish this by providing a novel double-ended piston arrangement with a sliding block intermediate the piston which connects to an arm that is operated by the picker stick. By-pass grooves in the form of tapered channels are formed in each end of the check device and the cylinders in which the pistons fit are in the form of adjustable independent sleeve members which makes for a very short double-acting check mechanism which can be mounted as described.

It is desirable that the stroke of the picker stick be adjustable within limits. Although the setting of the check mechanism on the return or check stroke is somewhat critical, the operation of the check mechanism at the end of the power stroke is not so critical, provided reasonably adequate checking action is had. Accordingly, in adjusting the double-acting check for a selected stroke, the adjustment at the end of the check stroke is controlling, and it may be that even with the maximum adjustment possible of the power stroke checking portion of the devices, excessive pressure would develop in the check cylinder on the power stroke. Accordingly, it is a further object of this invention to insure that excessive pressures cannot be developed on the power stroke by providing a relief valve construction that limits the pressure to a predetermined value in the power stroke check cylinder.

It is another object to provide a double-acting adjustable check device which is readily machinable and can be assembled from relatively few economically manufactured parts.

These and other objects will be apparent as the following detailed description of my invention proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through my Check device;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of how the device is connected to the picker stick.

Referring to th drawings, the hydraulic check device C has a bracket member II] which is apertured as at Ilia by which the check is mounted upon the outboard end of the rock shaft R of the loom. In accordance with conventional loom practice as evidenced by my aforesaid copending application, and by the patent to Kotteman, No. 2,433,764, the rock shaft R is guided in a bear ing B outboard of the usual sword W. Set screws may fit into threaded apertures 25 to act as retaining means for the check device. It is apparent with this mounting although the check device tilts laterally somewhat as the rock shaft turns it remains substantially horizontal.

The lay assembly L of the loom which supports the shuttle S, as seen in Fig. 3, includes the picker stick P which may be suspended by a straight line motion linkage, more particularly described in my aforesaid co-pending application, Serial N 0. 782,341, filed October 27, 1947, now Patent No. 2,540,673. Such motion includes a link I2 pivoted to the check device at H to the lower end of the picker stick as at l3. A second or guidin link I4 is pivoted to the center of the picker stick at l5 and to an upper portion of the lay assembly as at I 6. With the linkage properly designed the picker I! travelsin a straight line as it carries the shuttle S and is positively guided at all times so that the reaction of the check device cannot alter the path of the picker. A spring assembly I9 may be provided to bias the picker stick to the shuttlereceiving position. The check C is pivoted to the picker stick at 20 by means of intermediate link 2| that connects to the operating arm 22 of the check device.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the details of the check device construction. The body or housing of the check member C is formed with a reservoir portion 30 in communication with the central chamber 3|. In order to receive detachable cylinder units, opposite ends of the body are bored as at 32 and 33 and provided with threaded extensions 34 and 35. An annular groove containing an O-ring sealing means 36 may be provided. adjacent the portions 32 and 33, respectively. A pair of adjustable cylinder-like end caps 40 and 40a are mounted in the body, each cylinder member having a. threaded portion 4| for cooperation with the associated threads in the housing. Each cylinder member also has a sleeve-like extension 42 the outer diameter of which engages the associated bore 32 or 33 in the housing and the inner diameter '46 thereof being bored to receive one end of a double-ended piston and each end cap may be provided with a knurled flange 1 to facilitate adjustment of the checking action as will be 7 described presently, V r

The double-ended'piston i! has oppositely extending portions 55 and 5! for sliding in the associated cylinder members. As seen in the drawings the left-hand piston 5| is that which enters the cylinder member 45 and acts as a checkon the return or check stroke of the picker stick whereas the right-hand piston 5i checks the power stroke. Piston portion 5i has a bore 52 which forms a liquid chamber in cooperation with! the bore 45 of the end cap 46. A small aperture 53 leads from the chamber behind the piston to the reservoir and permits air that might accumulate in the cylinder to bleed to the reservoir. In order to provide a graduated checking action which brings the shuttle and picker stick to a smooth stop without rebound, a passagewayfis'is formed in the wall of the piston 5i and commuha's'a counterbore 62 and an air-vent passageway 63'. A by-pass aperture 8 1 and a taperedchannel of the cylinder member, secures the cap in its adjusted position. Similarly, clamping ears 90 and clamping bolt 9i are provided for the adjustable end cap as seen in Fig. 2.

In operation, spring i9 is adjusted to bring the picker to a shuttle-receiving position where checking action is about to begin. During this spring return action piston 5i enters cylinder element 4| but liquid is freely transferred through the passageway 54 and tapered metering groove 55 to the reservoir so that transfer'of liquid is relatively unrestricted. When the tapered portion of groove 55 enters the cylinder the picker is approximately in. shuttle-receiving position. Impact of the flying shuttle urgespiston 51 further into its cylinder and now liquid is forced through a by-pass that becomes progressively smaller. Also, vent passage 53 is soon closedoff and all liquid must pass through the taperedgroove. Finally,.shuttle energy is dissipated and'shuttle and picker come to a smooth stop without rebound. On the power stroke the other piston functions andliquid isby-passed through passage and groove 55. Check valve 69 may be'forced openif themetering channel 651s entirely closed off before the end of the power'stroke thereby relieving ahy- V draulic block.-

65 are formed in piston element 51, these being 7 similar to the channel and apertures on the other piston element.- In order that excessive pressure will not develop in case the length of the power stroke is increased beyond the capacity of cylinder adjustment, a'relief valve assembly is'provided in the power checking side of the check device. Thereisa by-pass groove 66in the piston member 6 l to provide the final graduated checking action. Threaded in the piston is a plug member 61 with a passage 63 therein closed by ball check valve ES'under action of a spring Sea. The plug member 61 is positioned so that'the force of spring 5912 holds ball (59 closed against all pressures not considered detrimental to the operation of the loom and check device. However, if thereis danger ofahydraulic block due toan improper adjustment of the end cap a or for any other reason, check valve 59 will open and relieve the excess pressure within the chamber.

In. order to provide for a connection overall unit of minimum length, piston has an intermediate bore Eii' into which slides a sliding" bearing block 1 i. This block has a through aperture therein as at 12 to provide free communication of liquid from the reservoir to metering.

' passageways and 65., Likewise, the block H has an exterior channel i5 communicating with a passage '56 through the wall of the block. In

ztl'liS manner the bypass chamber 66 in the piston communicates with the reservoir when the relief valve opens. The sliding block H is pivoted to an extension T 2 of the check operating arm 22 as atll Check operating arm 22 is pivoted at 7 intermediate ends to the housing itself as at 29' adjusted position. For example, member 40d isclamped by setting up on bolt M which, associatedw-ith a pair of clamping ears 8%! for-med in thebody that surrounds the threaded portion 41- 7 between thepicker stick and thepiston 59 that makes-the V p'ated may be adjusted. to provide'the'best operation'on the machine."

It can be seen that by adjusting the axial position of end caps or cylinder members 40 andwe the relative position of the metering grooves 55 and 65' and the cylinders'may be changed; With this construction the position at which checking" begins and, therefore,.the energy which i dissider. For example, at the end of the'check stroke the power strap has ample force to draw an initial vacuum until groove 55 is uncovered; The same applies to thereturn spring 1'9" which is relatively taut at the'end of the power'stroke.

I contemplate that various design details may be modified in accordance'with machine'desi'gn practice without departing from' the spirit of my" invention. The exact structure of the housing is notcritical providing it has the: basic elements required for the operation of the device. Location of the various passagewayscanbe changed'fronr thatillustrated without affecting; theoperation. Therefore; although I have illustrated a' preferred embodiment of my invention, I'contemplate that the scope thereof isd'etermined by theappended claims and theran'ge of equivalentstowhich they are entitled rather than by the aforesaid mustration.

What is claimed is:

1..In combination. in a loom, alay and rock shafta'sse'mbly; a" picker'stick'and means to pivotally mount the picker stick in the loom, a doubleacting liquid check device having a housin jmember rigidly mounted onsaid assembly, and'including a plurality of opposed cylinder'members adjustably' mounted therein, a horizonta'11y"re'- ciprocating double-acting check piston sliding in said housing, a reservoir, bypass meansrbetween "each cylinder and said reservoir past theasso ciated piston, an operating arm pivoted in said housing and slidably connected to said piston, and a link pivotally connected to said arm and to said picker stick, said by-pass means being restricted by the associated piston acting to check said picker stick toward the end of its power stroke and its return stroke, adjustment of said cylinder member regulating the position at which said by-pass means are restricted.

2. A double-acting hydraulic check for connection to the picker stick of a loom comprising a housin member, a pair of cylinders adjustably positioned in opposite ends of said housing, a liquid reservoir intermediate said cylinders, a piston sliding in said cylinders, liquid by-pass means past said piston between each of said cylinders and said reservoir, each of said liquid bypass means being closed by an associated piston near the end of its stroke, the point of closure being alterable by adjustment of said cylinders.

3. A double-acting hydraulic check for connection to the picker stick of a loom comprising a housing member, a pair of cylinders adjustably positioned in opposite ends of said housing, a liquid reservoir intermediate said cylinders, a piston sliding in said cylinders, liquid by-pass means past said piston between each of said cylinders and said reservoir, each of said liquid bypass means being closed by an associated piston near the end of its stroke, the point of closure being alterable by adjustment of said cylinders, and relief valve means associated with the piston and cylinder elements acting to check the power stroke of the picker stick to limit the maximum pressure developed during that stroke.

4. A double-acting hydraulic check for connection to the picker stick of a loom comprising a housing member havin opposed cylinder members adjustably mounted therein, a liquid reservoir, and a double-ended piston sliding in said cylinders, a bore in said piston intermediate the ends of said piston, a block slidable in said bore, an operating arm pivoted to said housing and having one extension pivotally mounted in said piston block and another extension for pivotal connection with the picker stick, liquid by-pass means past said piston between each of said cylinders and said reservoir, each of said liquid bypass means being restricted by an associated piston near the end of its stroke, adjustment of said cylinders in said housing regulating the position in the stroke at which said restriction occurs.

5. A double-acting hydraulic check for connection to the picker stick of a loom comprising a housing member having opposed cylinder members adjustably mounted therein, a liquid reservoir, and a double-ended piston sliding in said cylinders, a bore in said piston intermediate the ends of said piston, a block slidable in said bore, an operating arm pivoted to said housing and having one extension pivotally mounted in said piston block and another extension for pivotal connection with the picker stick, liquid by-pass means past said piston between each of said cylinders and said reservoir, each of said liquid bypass means being restricted by an associated piston near the end of its stroke, adjustment of said cylinders in said housing regulating the position in the stroke at which said restriction occurs, and a relief valve associated with one of said cylinder and piston assemblies to limit the maximum pressure therein.

6. A double-acting hydraulic check for connec- 6 tion to the picker stick of a loom comprising a housing member including a pair of axiallyaligned hydraulic cylinder elements, a liquid reservoir in said housing, connected piston elements sliding in said cylinder elements, one of each pair of said piston and cylinder elements including by-pass means to establish communication between the cylinder elements and the reservoir, the other of each pair of said piston and cylinder elements including by-pass closure means, said by-pass and by-pass closure means being arranged so that the effective by-pass areas are progressively reduced as the associated piston elements enter their respective cylinder elements, and means mountin one of said last-named means for adjustment in the line of piston motion so that the eifective by-pass area for a given position of said piston element in the housing may be varied Without affecting the effective area of the by-pass means for a given relative position of the by-pass and by-pass closure means, a mounting bracket on said housing, said mounting bracket including means for axially adjustably receiving the rock shaft of a loom with the rock shaft parallel to the axes of said cylinder elements.

7. In combination in a loom, a lay and rock shaft assembly, a picker stick and means to pivotally mount the picker stick in the loom, a doubleacting hydraulic check for connection to the picker stick comprising a housing member in cluding a pair of hydraulic cylinder elements, a

liquid reservoir in said housing, connected piston elements sliding in said cylinder elements means connecting said piston elements to the picker stick, one of each pair of said piston and cylinder elements including by-pass means to establish communication between the cylinder elements and the reservoir, the other of each pair of said piston and cylinder elements including by-pass closure means, said by-pass and lay-pass closure means being arranged so that the effective by-pass areas are progressively reduced as the associated piston elements enter their respective cylinder elements, means mounting one of said last-named means for adjustment in the line of piston motion so that the effective by-pass area for a given position of said piston element in the housing may be varied without affecting the effective area of the by-pass means for a given relative position of the by-pass and by-pass closure means, and means mounting said check adjacent the end of said rock shaft, said means providing for limited axial adjustment of the check along the rock shaft.

8. In combination in a loom, a lay and rock shaft assembly, an outboard bearing for said rock shaft, a picker stick and means to pivotally mount the picker stick on said rock shaft, a double-acting liquid check device having a housing member rigidly and axially adjustably mounted on and adjacent the outer end of said rock shaft and outboard of said bearing, a horizontally reciprocating double-acting check piston sliding in said housing, an operating arm pivoted in said housing and slidably connected to said piston, and a link pivotally connected to said arm and to said picker stick, said check device acting to check said picker stick toward the end of its power stroke and on its return stroke.

GEORGE H. HUFFERD.

(References on following page) 7 $8 REFERENGESDITED V Number -Na. e Date f 11 f e i d .n .th 2,433,754 I -1K0tteman -..ID8.0.30, 1947 me :w; 7;, s are 0 ecor 1 ;2;483,517 Balogh ....'Oct. 4, 1949 7 2,506,697 Balogh May 9, 1950 UNITED V-STATES- PATENTS 1 2,513,907 "Bacon July 1950 Number Name Date 7 995,995 Bennett 9111119291911 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,797,755 Chryst Mar; 24,..1931 m r n y Da e 7.l,955 .Chryst -Aug.'16,,1932 24,843 Great-Britain of 1905 32,160,339 g-Moessinger '.May 3,0,,1939 {l0 445,101

2,426,971 :Kotteman. .-Sept.'2, 1947 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1936 

